Head protecting airbag device

ABSTRACT

A passenger&#39;s seat airbag device is mounted on a vehicle in which a rear wall portion is se arranged on the rear side of a side window. The airbag is folded and housed on the upper edge side of the side window as to cover the side window. The airbag is mounted on its two longitudinal ends. The rear side leading end is mounted on the rear wall portion. In the vicinity of the corner portion, a guide guides the downward protrusion of the airbag and can regulate the movement of the airbag to the interior side when the airbag is extending and expanding.

[0001] The present application claims priority to Japanese patentapplication of Sakane et al, filed May 23, 2001, No.2001-153847, andJapanese patent application of Tanase et al., filed Aug. 3, 2001, theentirety of each is hereby incorporated into the present application bythis reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a head protecting airbag deviceprovided with an airbag which is so folded and housed on the upper edgeside of a side window as to cover a side window positioned on the sidefade of a vehicle when the airbag is extending and expanding.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] A head protecting airbag device of the prior art has an airbagwhich is so folded and housed on the upper edge side of a side windowpositioned on the side face of a vehicle as to cover the side windowwhen the airbag is extending and expanding (as referred to UnexaminedPublished Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-272460).

[0006] Moreover, the airbag is constructed to cover the side window whenthe airbag is extending and expanding and to apply a longitudinaltension to the airbag when the airbag is extending and expanding.Specifically, the front side leading end of the airbag is mounted on thefront pillar portion of the vehicle body. And, the rear side leading endof the airbag is mounted on the upper edge side of the side window onthe vehicle side face and backward apart from the portion of the airbagcovering the side window to the lower side.

[0007] In the airbag described in the Japanese Patent Application, thelongitudinal tension is so developed when the airbag is extending andexpanding as to join the portions mounted on the vehicle body at thefront side leading end and the rear side leading end.

[0008] Here, the reason why the longitudinal tension is developed in theairbag is to suppress the movement of the airbag to the exterior sideeven if the airbag receives a pushing force to the exterior side.

[0009] In case the vehicle having the airbag device mounted thereon is asingle-cab vehicle such as a motor truck or a double-cab vehicle,however, the side of the side window toward the rear is a rear wallportion such as a rear panel perpendicularly intersecting the sidewindow.

[0010] In this vehicle, moreover, the portion of the airbag covering theside window as far as the lower side is so close to the rear wallportion that there is no space for mounting the rear side end of theairbag. As a result, it is hard to mount the airbag on a vehicle such asthe single-cab vehicle which develops the longitudinal tension uponcompletion of the extension and expansion.

[0011] As another head protecting airbag device of the prior art, thereis a construction which is disclosed in Unexamined Published JapanesePatent Application No. 9-249089.

[0012] This head protecting airbag device comprises guide means forguiding the end portion of the airbag downward when the airbag isextending and expanding which is folded and housed on theupperedgesideofthewindow. Thisguidemeans is arranged along the center pillar portion toguide the rear end portion of the airbag downward along the centerpillar portion.

[0013] However, the head protecting airbag device thus constructed has adisadvantage when it is applied to the airbag which develops thelongitudinal tension on the lower edge side upon completion of theextension and expansion. If the tension occurs in advance on the loweredge side of the airbag, the lower edge of the airbag does not smoothlymove downward along the guide means and thus the airbag expandsinsufficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A first object of the invention is to provide a head protectingairbag device which can develop a longitudinal tension easily in anairbag having completed its extension and expansion, even when it ismounted on a vehicle such as a single-cab vehicle having a rear wallportion arranged to intersect a side window generally perpendicularly onthe side of the side window toward the rear to be covered with theairbag.

[0015] A second object of the invention is to provide a head protectingairbag device, in which an airbag can complete its extension while beingsmoothly guided by guide means even if the airbag is constructed todevelop a longitudinal tension on the lower edge side upon completion ofthe extension and expansion.

[0016] The first object of the invention can be achieved by a headprotecting airbag device to be mounted on a vehicle including: a sidewindow positioned on the side face of the vehicle; a rear wall portionarranged on the side of the side window toward the rear; and a pillarportion arranged on the side of the side window toward the front,wherein the rear wall portion is arranged to intersect the side windowgenerally perpendicularly, and wherein the pillar portion is arranged toextend generally vertically, comprising:

[0017] an airbag folded and housed on the upper edge of the side windowon the interior side so that it can cover the side window when extendingand expanding,

[0018] wherein the airbag is mounted at its two longitudinal ends on thevehicle body so that it may develop a longitudinal tension when theairbag is extending and expanding,

[0019] wherein the airbag is mounted at its front end on the pillarportion, and

[0020] wherein the airbag is mounted at its rear end at a position ofthe rear wall portion removed from the vehicle side face; and

[0021] guide means arranged near the corner portion between the rearwall portion and the vehicle side face so as to guide the downwardprotrusion of the airbag when the airbag is extending and expanding andto regulate the movement of the airbag at the corner portion toward theinterior side upon completion of the extension and expansion.

[0022] At the operating time of the head protecting airbag device thusconstructed, the airbag folded on the upper edge of the side windowpositioned on the vehicle side face extends and expands downward tocover the side window.

[0023] This airbag protrudes downward from the upper edge side of theside window in the vicinity of the corner portion while being guided bythe guide means. And, the airbag completes its extension and expansionwhile its movement to the interior side is regulated by the guide means.

[0024] At this time, the airbag is mounted at its front end on thepillar portion on the side of the side window toward the front.Moreover, the rear end is mounted at a position of the rear wall portionapart from the vehicle side face. And, the airbag is not loosened evenit is bent to the interior side in the vicinity of the corner portion,because its movement to the interior side is regulated by the guidemeans.

[0025] As a result, the longitudinal tension can be developed in theairbag upon completion of the extension and expansion without anytrouble between the front end and the rear end.

[0026] Even if the head protecting airbag device according totheinventionismountedonavehiclesuchasasingle-cabvehicle in which therear wall portion is so arranged on the side of the side window towardthe rear to be covered with the airbag so as to intersect the sidewindow generally perpendicularly, therefore, the longitudinal tensioncan be easily developed in the airbag having completed the extension andexpansion.

[0027] In the head protecting airbag device, moreover, it is preferablethat the airbag includes at least one vertical expansion portion forexpanding vertically by admitting an inflating gas when the airbag isextending and expanding.

[0028] With this construction of the head protecting airbag device, whenthe airbag is extending and expanding the vertical expansion portion canexpand to shrink the airbag longitudinally by admitting the inflatinggas. Therefore, a higher longitudinal tension can be developed in theairbag having completed its expansion.

[0029] In the head protecting airbag device thus constructed, moreover,it is preferable that upon completion of the expansion the verticalexpansion portion in the vicinity of the guide means is arranged alongthe guide means, and that the airbag is so mounted on the rear wallportion as to extend generally linearly from and in the direction of thelower edge of the vertical expansion portion.

[0030] With the head protecting airbag device thus constructed, thevertical expansion portion exhibits a rigidity to some extent when it ischarged with the inflating gas. Upon completion of the expansion of theairbag, moreover, the vertical expansion portion is pulled near itslower edge toward the rear of the vehicle. In other words, the verticalexpansion portion turns its lower end pivoting on its upper end so thatthe higher longitudinal tension is developed at the lower edge side ofthe airbag.

[0031] Moreover, it is preferable that the portion of the airbag to bearranged facing the side of the guide means toward the exterior of thecar when the airbag is extending and expanding is constructed of anon-inlet portion for admitting no inflating gas.

[0032] With the head protecting airbag device thus constructed, theguide means can be arranged very close to the exterior side to retainmore space in the interior side.

[0033] In the head protecting airbag device thus constructed, moreover,it is preferable that the guide means is formed of a guide fixture madeof a long metal member and includes a guide regulating portion extendingvertically and a joint portion to be jointed to the car body, that theguide regulating portion can guide and regulate the movement of theairbag, and that the joint portion is arranged on either the upper orlower side of the guide regulating portion or both.

[0034] Moreover, the guide means may properly be formed of a band-shapedbelt having flexibility and includes a guide regulating portionextending vertically and joint portions joining the guide to the carbody so that the guide regulating portion can guide and regulate themovement of the airbag, and that the joint portions are arranged on theupper and lower ends of the guide regulating portion.

[0035] Moreover, the guide means may be mounted on a passenger seatingseat arranged on the vehicle body.

[0036] In case the guide means is exemplified by a guide fixture made ofa long metal member and including a guide regulating portion and a jointportion, a band-shaped belt having a flexibility or a passenger seatingseat arranged in the vehicle body, it is easily possible to guide theportion of the airbag near the corner to regulate its movement towardthe interior.

[0037] On the other hand, a second object of the invention can beachieved by a head protecting airbag device comprising:

[0038] an airbag folded and housed on the upper edge of a side window onthe interior side of a vehicle; an inflator for feeding an inflating gasto the airbag; guide means mounted on the vehicle body; and engagingmeans arranged in the airbag for engaging with the guide means,

[0039] wherein the airbag extends and expands downward from the upperedge side of the side window, when the inflating gas flows in, to coverthe interior side of the side window,

[0040] wherein the guide means is so vertically arranged as to guide thedownward extension of the airbag,

[0041] wherein the guide-engaging portion can be guided by the guidemeans when the airbag is extending and expanding, and

[0042] wherein the airbag includes an initial vertical expansion portionarranged to expand along the guide means for moving the guide-engagingportion downward along the guide means at the beginning of the inflow ofthe inflating gas.

[0043] When the airbag in the head protecting airbag device thusconstructed accepts the inflating gas from the inflator, the initialvertical expansion portion expands first of all. In accordance with theexpansion of the initial vertical expansion portion, moreover, theguide-engaging portion moves downward while being guided by the guidemeans so that it is arranged at a predetermined expansion completionposition of the airbag. Before the remaining portions of the airbagreceive the inflating gas to develop the tension on the lower edge sideof the airbag, the guide-engaging portion is guided in advance by theguide means to complete the extension of the airbag substantially.Therefore, the airbag can complete its extension and expansion withoutany trouble and also can develop longitudinal tension on the lower edge.

[0044] In the head protecting airbag device according to the invention,therefore, the airbag can be smoothly guided by the guide means tocomplete its extension, even if it is constructed to developlongitudinal tension on the lower edge upon completion of the extensionand expansion.

[0045] In the head protecting airbag device thus constructed, it ispreferable that the guide means is covered on itsinterior-facingsidewithanedgeportionof theinteriorsurface of thevehicle, which can open toward the interior side.

[0046] With the head protecting airbag device thus constructed, when theairbag-does not extend, the guide means is covered on its interior sidewith the interior finish constructed of a pillar garnish or trim.Therefore, the decorative design of the vehicle having the guide meansmounted thereon is improved. When the airbag is extending and expanding,the edge portion of the interior surface covering the interior-facingside of the guide means opens to the interior side so that it does notobstruct the extension and expansion of the airbag.

[0047] In the head protecting airbag device thus constructed, moreover,it is preferable that the guide means has a flexibility and is arrangedto open and protrude the edge portion of the interior finish from thehoused position of the guide means toward the interior side when theairbag is extending and expanding thereby to prevent the interferencebetween airbag and the interior finish.

[0048] With the head protecting airbag device thus constructed, when theairbag is extending and expanding, the flexible guide means opens theedge portion of the interior finish and protrudes from the housedposition toward the interior. Therefore, the airbag can extend andexpand smoothlywithout its guide-engaging portion interfering with theinterior finish.

[0049] In the head protecting airbag device thus constructed, stillmoreover, it is preferable that the airbag includes a plurality ofvertical expansion portions for expanding vertically by admitting theinflating gas.

[0050] With the head protecting airbag device thus constructed, when theairbag is extending and expanding, each vertical expansion portionexpands in such a way that the airbag shrinks longitudinallybyadmittingthe inflating gas. After the airbag has completed itsexpansion, therefore, it is possible to develop a high longitudinaltension.

[0051] In the head protecting airbag device thus constructed, stillmoreover, it is preferable that the initial vertical expansion portionis arranged close to the inflator and upstream of the inflating gas.

[0052] With the head protecting airbag device thus constructed, when theairbag is extending and expanding, the inflating gas discharged from theinflator can be promptly introduced into the initial vertical expansionportion. In other words, this initial vertical expansion portion canexpand earlier than the remaining portions of the airbag. As a result,the guide-engaging portion can promptly move downward while being guidedby the guide member to extend the airbag promptly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a used mode of a headprotecting airbag device of a first embodiment according to the presentinvention, from the interior side of a vehicle;

[0054]FIG. 2 is a vertical section of a portion II-II of FIG. 1;

[0055]FIG. 3 is a vertical section of a portion III-III of FIG. 1;

[0056]FIG. 4 is a flatly extended front elevation showing the airbag ofthe first embodiment;

[0057]FIG. 5 is a lateral section showing a portion of the airbag of thefirst embodiment at an expanding time and corresponding to a portion V-Vof FIG. 4;

[0058]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the head protecting airbagdevice of the first embodiment in use, seen from the vehicle interiorside;

[0059]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a used mode of a headprotecting airbag device of a second embodiment according to the presentinvention, seen from the vehicle interior side;

[0060]FIG. 8 is a vertical section of a portion VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

[0061]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the head protecting airbagdevice of the second embodiment in use, seen from the vehicle interiorside;

[0062]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a head protecting airbagdevice of a third embodiment according to the present invention in use,seen from the vehicle interior side;

[0063]FIG. 11 is a vertical section of a portion XI-XI of FIG. 10;

[0064]FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the head protecting airbagdevice of the third embodiment in operation, seen from the vehicleinterior side;

[0065]FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a head protecting airbagdevice of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention in use,seen from the vehicle interior side;

[0066]FIG. 14 is a vertical section of a portion XIV-XIV of FIG. 13;

[0067]FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the head protecting airbagdevice of the fourth embodiment in operation, seen from the vehicleinterior side;

[0068]FIG. 16 is a schematic front elevation showing a head protectingairbag device of a fifth embodiment in use, seen from the vehicleinterior side;

[0069]FIG. 17 is an enlarged schematic lateral section of a portionXVII-XVII of FIG. 16;

[0070]FIG. 18 is an enlarged schematic vertical section of a portionXVIII-XVIII of FIG. 16;

[0071]FIG. 19 is a flatly extended front elevation showing the airbag ofthe fifth embodiment;

[0072]FIG. 20 is a lateral section showing a portion of the airbag ofthe first embodiment at an expanding time and corresponding to a portionXX-XX of FIG. 19;

[0073]FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the head protecting airbagdevice of the fifth embodiment in operation, seen from the vehicleinterior side;

[0074]FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a head protecting airbagdevice of a second embodiment in use, seen from the vehicle interiorside;

[0075]FIG. 23 is an enlarged schematic vertical section of a portionXXIII-XXIII of FIG. 22;

[0076]FIG. 24 is a flatly extended front elevation showing the airbag ofthe sixth embodiment;

[0077]FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the head protecting airbagdevice of the sixth embodiment in operation, seen from the vehicleinterior side; and

[0078]FIG. 26 is an enlarged schematic lateral section of a portionXXVI-XXVI of FIG. 25.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0079] The invention will be described below by way of embodiments shownin the drawings. In addition, the invention is not limited to theembodiments. All modifications within the requirements of the claims andequivalents with respect to the requirements should be included in thescope of the claims.

[0080] Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

[0081] First of all, here will be described head protecting airbagdevices M1 to M4 for achieving the first object of the invention.

[0082] The head protecting airbag device M1 of the first embodimentshown in FIGS. 1 to 6 is mounted on a single-cab vehicle V1. The headprotecting airbag device Ml comprises an airbag 20, an inflator 39,guide means 41 and an airbag cover 18.

[0083] Here, the single-cab vehicle V1 is provided with a side windowSW, a rear wall portion 12 and a front pillar portion FP. The sidewindow SW is arranged on the side of a seat SE, on which a passenger isseated, and is positioned on a vehicle side face VS. The rear wallportion 12 is so arranged at the back of the side window SW as tointersect the side window SW generally perpendicularly. The front pillarportion FP is positioned on the front side of the side window SW, whichextends obliquely downward from a roof side rail portion RR. Moreover,the front pillar portion FP is generally vertically arranged. Moreover,this vehicle V1 has a rear pillar portion RP arranged to extendvertically. The rear pillar portion RP is arranged on the vehicle sideface VS side in the vicinity of corner portion C, at which the rear wallportion 12 and the vehicle side face VS intersect.

[0084] The front pillar portion FP and the rear pillar portion RP areindividually provided with an inner panel 3 made of a sheet metal on thevehicle body (or body 1) side, and pillar garnishes 6 and 9 made of asynthetic resin covering the interior sides of the pillar portions FPand RP. Here, the body 1 is provided with the inner panel 3 on theinterior side and an outer panel 2 made of a sheet metal on the exteriorside (as referred to FIG. 3). The body 1 has not-shown reinforcements orthe like arranged at predetermined portions for enhancing the rigidity.

[0085] In the embodiment, moreover, the rear pillar garnish 9 isprovided with an upper side upper panel 10 and a lower side lower panel11. The two upper and lower edges of the upper panel 10 are mountingportions 10 a and 10 c. In these mounting portions 10 a and 10 c,respectively, there are formed mounting holes 10 b and 10 d for mountingthe portions 10 a and 10 c on the inner panel 3, as shown in FIG. 3. Theindividual mounting portions 10 a and 10 c are mounted on the innerpanel 3 by fastening bolts 4 through the mounting holes 10 b and 10 dinto nuts 3 d fixed on the circumferential edges of mounting holes 3 cof the inner panel 3.

[0086] In the roof side rail portion RR, moreover, the inner panel 3 iscovered on the interior side 1 with a roof head lining 8 made of asynthetic resin, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0087] The rear wall portion 12 has a rear window RW arranged at itscenter, as shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, the rear wall portion 12 isprovided with a rear panel 13 made of a sheet metal on the vehicle body(or the body 1) side, and a rear trim 14 made of a synthetic resincovering the interior side of the rear panel 13. Here, the upper endside of the rear wall portion 12 is covered with the roof head lining 8extending from the ceiling side. Moreover, the inflator 39 and theleading end 34 b of a later-described backward pulling portion 34 arecovered with the lower edge 8 a of the roof head lining 8.

[0088] The airbag 20 is folded and housed in the upper edge of the sidewindow SW on the interior side. The airbag 20 comprises, as shown inFIGS. 4 to 6, a generally rectangular panel body portion 21, and aforward pulling portion 32 and a backward pulling portion 34 which arearranged on the two longitudinal ends of the body portion 21. This bodyportion 21 can cover the side window SW. These forward and backwardpulling portions 32 and 34 are provided with the leading ends 32 b and34 b, respectively, which are removed from the body portion 21 and actas the front side leading end 32 b and the rear side leading end 34 b ofthe airbag 20. Moreover, the front side leading end 32 b and rear sideleading end 34 b are mounted on the vehicle body (or the body 1) todevelop a longitudinal tension between the leading ends 32 b and 34 b ofthe airbag 20 (or the body portion 21) upon completion of the extensionand inflation.

[0089] The body portion 21 is provided with a gas inlet portion 22 forletting an inflating gas G flow thereinto to expand, and a non-inletportion 27 that does not let the inflating gas G flow in. The gas inletportion 22 expands in such a way as to separate the interior side wallportion 22 a and the exterior side wall portion 22 b.

[0090] The gas inlet portion 22 is provided with an expansion portion 23and an inlet port 25. The expansion portion 23 is inflated to extend andexpand into a generally rectangular panel shape for covering the sidewindow SW. The inlet port 25 is formed into a cylindrical shape tocommunicate with the upper rear of the expansion portion 23 and toextend backward. Moreover, the inlet port 25 is connected at its rearend to the inflator 39. In the area of the expansion portion 23., thereare suitably arranged thickness regulating portions 29 as the non-inletportion 27. The thickness regulating portions 29 are so arranged as toequalize the thickness of the airbag at the peripheral edge and thecentral portion of the expansion portion 23 when expanded. On the rearend side of the expansion portion 23, moreover, there is arranged avertical expansion portion 24 which extends in a vertical rod shape atthe expanding time. In the case of the embodiment, the verticalexpansion portion 24 is arranged in the vicinity and along a guideregulating portion 42 of a later-described guide fixture 45 (or guidemeans 41) (as referred to double-dotted lines of FIG. 4 and FIG. 6).

[0091] The non-inlet portion 27 is provided with a peripheral edgeportion 28, two thickness regulating portions 29 and 29, and a pluralityof mounting portions 30. The peripheral edge portion 28 is so arrangedalong the peripheral edge of the body portion 21 as to enclose theexpansion portion 23. Each thickness regulating portion 29 is arrangedextend from the peripheral edge portion 28 into the expansion portion23. Each mounting portion 30 is extended upward from the peripheral edge28, a portion of the upper edge 21 a of the body portion 21.

[0092] The thickness regulating portions 29 and 29 are individuallyextended generally in the horizontal direction from the front edge sideof the peripheral edge portion 28 to the rear side. Moreover, thethickness regulating portions 29 and 29 are separated from each otherabove and below, with their ends not intersecting the rear edge side ofthe peripheral edge portion 28. Between the rear end of each thicknessregulating portion 29 and the rear edge side of the peripheral edgeportion 28, moreover, there is arranged the aforementioned verticalexpansion portion 24. Here, the expansion portion 23 is defined by thethickness regulating portions 29 into three cells 23 a extendinghorizontally and arranged above and below the thickness regulatingportions 29 and 29, and the aforementioned one vertical expansionportion 24.

[0093] The individual mounting portions 30 are arranged at threepositions on the side of the upper edge 21 a of the body portion 21.Each mounting portion 30 is provided with a mounting hole 30 a forinserting a mounting bolt 37 therethrough, as shown in FIG. 2. Eachmounting portion 30 is mounted with a mounting bracket 36 on the innerpanel 3 on the side of the body 1 by the mounting bolt 37. In the innerpanel 3 of the upper edge side of the side window SW on the side of thebody 1, as shown in FIG. 2, there is formed a mounting hole 3 a. On thecircumference of this mounting hole 3 a, there is fixed a nut 3 b, intowhich the mounting bolt 37 is screwed.

[0094] The forward pulling portion 32 is extended forward from the frontend lower portion side of the body portion 21. The forward pullingportion 32 is mounted and fixed at its leading end 32 b on the innerpanel 3 of the lower portion of the front pillar portion FP on the sideof the body 1. In the leading end 32 b of the forward pulling portion32, there is formed a mounting hole 32 c. The leading end 32 b is fixedlike the mounting portion 30 on the inner panel 3 by making use of themounting bracket 36 and the mounting bolt 37 (although not shown). Herein the case of the embodiment, the forward pulling portion 32 is formedinto a belt shape of a woven fabric of polyester or polyamide. Moreover,the forward pulling portion 32 is jointed at its base end 32 a towardthe body portion 21 to the body portion 21 by means of an eyelet.

[0095] The backwardpulling portion 34 is formed into a triangular panelshape which extends backward of the body portion 21 from the lower sideof the inlet port 25. Moreover, the backward pulling portion 34 isformed to extend linearly from the vicinity of a lower end 24 b of thevertical expansion portion 24. In the leading end 34 b of the backwardpulling portion 34, moreover, there is formed a mounting hole 34 c. Likethe mounting portions 30, the leading end 34 b is fixed on the rearpanel 13 on the body 1 side by means of the mounting bracket 36 and themounting bolt 37 (although not shown). Here, the fixed position of theleading end 34 b on the rear panel 13 is located in the vicinity of theupper edge of the rear wall portion 12 near its center, removed from thevehicle side surface VS. Moreover, the fixed position of the leading end34 b on the rear panel 13 is located at a level as high as theindividual mounting portions 30 of the body portion 21.

[0096] The backward pulling portion 34 is folded, when housed, togetherwith the body portion 21. The folded backward pulling portion 34 is bentfrom above the rear pillar portion RP and is arranged at the upperportion of the rear wall portion 12. Moreover, the folded backwardpulling portion 34 is housed with its interior side being covered withthe lower edge 8 a of the roof head lining 8. And, the lower edge 34 dof the backward pulling portion 34 is connected to the lower part of therear end (or the lower end side of the vertical expansion portion 24) ofthe body portion 21. The longitudinal size of the backward pullingportion 34 is so set that the backward pulling portion 34 can pull thelower end side 24 a of the vertical expansion portion 24 backward todevelop a longitudinal tension in the lower edge 21 a of the bodyportion 21, when the body portion 21 extends and inflates.

[0097] Moreover, the base 34 a of the backward pulling portion 34 of thebody portion 21 side is so arranged (as referred by double-dotted linesin FIG. 4) as to be forward of the guide regulating portion 42 of theguide fixture 45 (or the guide means 41), as viewed from the interiorside I. In other words, when the airbag 20 is extending and expanding,the base portion 34 a of the backward pulling portion 34 of thenon-inlet portion 27 is arranged on the exterior side O of the guideregulating portion 42 of the guide fixture 45.

[0098] Here in the case of the embodiment, the body portion 21 istubularly woven of yarns of polyester or polyamide together with thebackward pulling portion 34. Moreover, the airbag 20 is formed byjoining the base portion 32 a of the forward pulling portion 32 to thefront end side lower portion of the body portion 21.

[0099] The inflator 39 is of a cylinder type having a generallycylindrical shape. The inflator 39 is connected to the airbag 20 byfitting it on the rear end of the inlet port 25 of the airbag 20.Moreover, the inflator 39 is mounted and fixed on the upper edge side ofthe rear panel 13 of the rear wall portion 12 by making use of anot-shown bracket. The inflator 39 is covered on its interior side withthe lower edge 8 a of the roof head lining 8.

[0100] The airbag cover 18 covers the folded airbag 20 and the inflator39. In the case of the embodiment, the airbag cover 18 comprises thelower edge 6 a of the front pillar garnish 6, and the lower edge 8 a ofthe roof head lining 8 on the upper edge side of the side window SW. Theairbag cover 18 constructed at the lower edge 8 a of the roof headlining 8, is formed, in the case of the embodiment, to extend from aposition just above the side window SW through a position just above therear pillar portion RP to the vicinity of the transverse center of therear wall portion 12. Moreover, the airbag cover 18 composed of theindividual lower edges 6 a and 8 a is provided with a thinned hingeportion 18 a on the upper edge side of the opening portion, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. This hinge portion 18 a is formed so that the airbagcover 18 may be easily pushed and opened toward the interior side by theairbag 20. When the airbag 20 is housed, the pillar garnish lower edge 6a covers the portions of the forward pulling portion 32 and the frontend side of the body portion 21. Moreover, the roof head lining loweredge 8 a just above the side window SW covers the body portion 21. Stillmoreover, the roof head lining lower edge 8 a just above the rear pillarportion RP covers a portion of the rear side of the body portion 21containing the inlet port 25 and the base portion 34 a of the backwardpulling portion 34. Furthermore, the roof head lining lower edge 8 alocated on the upper side of the rear wall portion 12 covers the inletport 25, the inflator 39 and the backward pulling portion 34.

[0101] In the case of the first embodiment, the guide means 41 is formedof the guide fixture 45 made of an elongated metal pipe member. Thisguide fixture 45 is formed into an L-shape as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6,with the vertically extending guide regulating portion 42 and a jointportion 43 which is bend and extended from the lower end of the guideregulating portion 42 toward the exterior side O. The guide regulatingportion 42 is arranged at a portion near the corner portion C on theinterior side I of the rear pillar portion RP. At the joint portion 43,the guide fixture 45 is mounted on the inner panel 3 of the body 1. Inthe case of the embodiment, the joint portion 43 is provided on itsexterior side end with a mounting seat 46 having a mounting hole 46 a toinsert the bolt 4 thereinto. This mounting seat 46 is fastened by thebolt 4 together with the mounting portion 10 c of the upper panel 10 ofthe rear pillar garnish 9 and is fixed on the inner panel 3.

[0102] In the guide fixture 45, moreover, the guide regulating portion42 is mounted so as not to move toward the interior side I by insertingits upper end 47 through the roof head lining 8 into a through hole 3 eof the inner panel 3 (as referred to FIG. 3).

[0103] Moreover, the guide regulating portion 42 of the guide fixture 45is constructed of a portion protruded downward from the roof head lining8 to the joint portion 43. When the airbag 20 extends and expands, theguide regulating portion 42 guides the vicinity of the base portion 34 aof the backward pulling portion 34 near the corner portion C of theairbag 20 so that the base portion 34 a may protrude downward from theairbag cover 18 without deviating much toward the interior side I. Uponcompletion of the extension and expansion of the airbag 20, moreover,the guide regulating portion 42 regulates the position of the vicinityof the base portion 34 a of the backward pulling portion 34 in theairbag 20 so that the vicinity of the base portion 34 a may not movetoward the interior side I while covering the interior side I of theupper panel 10.

[0104] Here will be described how to mount the head protecting airbagdevice M1 of this first embodiment on the vehicle V1. First of all, theairbag 20 is folded. In this folding, the body portion 21 of the airbag20 is so folded in bellows form as to bring the lower edge 21 b close tothe upper edge 21 a. At this time, the forward and backward pullingportions 32 and 34 of the airbag 20 are also folded together with thebody portion 21 (as referred to FIGS. 2 and 3). Then, the airbag 20 issuitably wrapped with a breakable tape member 35 which keeps the airbagin folded condition.

[0105] After this, the mounting brackets 36 are attached to theindividual mounting portions 30 and the leading ends 32 b and 34 b ofthe forward and backward pulling portions 32 and 34. Moreover, thefolded inlet port 25 is unfolded, and the inflator 39 is inserted intothe inlet port 25. Then, the not-shown mounting brackets are attached tothe circumference of the inlet port 25 having the inflator 39 inserted,so that the inflator 39 is integrated with the airbag 20 to prepare theairbag assembly.

[0106] After this, the individual mounting portions 30 and the forwardand backward pulling portion leading ends 32 b and 34 b are mounted andfixed on the inner panel 3 and the rear panel 13 by means of themounting bolts 37. At the same time, the inflator 39 is mounted andfixed on the rear panel 13 by means of the not-shown mounting bracketsand bolts. Then, the airbag assembly can be mounted in the body 1 of thevehicle V1.

[0107] Moreover, not-shown lead wires leading from the inflator 39 areconnected with a predetermined airbag operating circuit. In the frontpillar portion FP, the front pillar garnish 6 is mounted and fixed onthe inner panel 3. In the roof side rail portion RR, the roof headlining 8 is mounted and fixed on the inner panel 3. In the rear pillarportion RP, moreover, the mounting seat 46 of the guide fixture 45 isfastened together by means of the bolt 4 or the like on the inner panel3 while the upper end 47 of the guide fixture 45 is inserted through theroof headlining 8 into the through hole 3 e. When the pillar garnish 9is then fixed on the inner panel 3 of the body 1, the head protectingairbag device M1 can be mounted on the vehicle V1.

[0108] If the inflator 39 is activated, the inflating gas G flows fromthe inlet port 25 into the expansion portion 23 to break the tape member35 so that the expansion portion 23 extends and expands. The airbag 20pushes and opens the lower edges 6 a and 8 a of the pillar garnish 6 andthe roof head lining 8 acting as the airbag cover 18 toward the interiorside I, as shown by double-dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 3, so that itprotrudes downward from the upper edge of the side window SW, as shownin FIG. 6. Then, the airbag body portion 21 covers the interior side ofthe side window SW.

[0109] At this extending and expanding time, the airbag 20 protrudesdownward from the upper edge side of the side window SW while the baseportion 34 a of the backward pulling portion 34 near the corner portionC on the side of the body portion 21 is guided by the guide regulatingportion 42 of the guide fixture 45. In other words, the base portion 34a of the backward pulling portion 34 next to the body portion 21protrudes downward from the lower edge 8 a of the roof head lining 8which extends from a position above the rear pillar portion RP to anupper portion near the transverse center of the rear wall portion 12.Then, the airbag 20 completes the extension and expansion such that themovement at the vicinity of the base portion 34 a of the backwardpulling portion 34 near the corner portion C toward the interior side Iis regulated by the guide regulating portion 42 of the guide fixture 45.

[0110] At this time, the airbag 20 is mounted, at the leading end 32 bof the forward pulling portion 32 away from the body portion 21, on theinner panel 3 on the lower side of the front pillar portion FP on thefront side of the side window SW. Moreover, the leading end 34 b of thebackward pulling portion 34 away from the body portion 21 is mounted onthe upper portion of the transverse middle portion of the rear panel 13of the rear wall portion 12 removed from the vehicle side face VS. Inthe embodiment, moreover, the backward pulling portion 34 of the airbag20 is bent toward the interior side I at the portion of the guideregulating portion 42 in the vicinity of the corner portion C as itextends from the vicinity of the base portion 34 a to the leading end 34b. However, the airbag 20 of the embodiment is not loosened because thebackward pulling portion 34 is kept from moving into the interior side Iby the guide regulating portion 42.

[0111] As a result, the longitudinal tension can be developed withoutany trouble in the airbag 20 having completed the extension andexpansion at the body portion 21 between the leading ends 32 b and 34 bof the forward and backward pulling portions 32 and 34, especially, onthe lower end 21 b side of the body portion 21.

[0112] Therefore, the head protecting airbag device M1 of the firstembodiment can develop the longitudinal tension easily in the airbag 20with completion of the extension and expansion, even if it is mounted onthe single-cab vehicle V1 in which the rear wall portion 12 is arrangedgenerally perpendicularly to the rear side of the side window SW to becovered with the airbag 20. Even if the airbag body portion 21 is pushedtoward the exterior side O by the passenger seated on the seat SE,therefore, it hardly moves at all and can restrain the passengerproperly.

[0113] In the first embodiment, moreover, the guide means 41 for guidingand regulating the movement of the vicinity of the base portion 34 a ofthe backward pulling portion 34 in the airbag 20 is constructed of theguide fixture 45 made of a long metal member. This guide fixture 45 isso rigid as to smoothly guide and regulate the movement of the baseportion 34 a of the backward pulling portion 34 in the vicinity of thecorner portion C.

[0114] In the first embodiment, moreover, the airbag 20 is provided withthe vertically extending vertical expansion portion 24 of the expansionportion 23 in the body portion 21 for admitting the inflating gas G. Thevertical expansion portion 24 expands, when it admits the inflating gasG, so that it shrinks the body portion 21 longitudinally. Therefore,strong longitudinal tension can be developed in the airbag body portion21.

[0115] In the first embodiment, moreover, the airbag 20 is providedwiththevertical expansion portion 24 which is arranged in the vicinity ofthe guide regulating portion 42 of the guide fixture 45 and at the rearend side of the body portion 21. When the vertical expansion portion 24is charged with the inflating gas G when the airbag is extending andexpanding 20, it exhibits a rigidity to some extent. Upon completion ofthe expansion of the airbag 20, moreover, the vertical expansion portion24 is pulled at its lower end 24 b backward of the vehicle V1 by thelower edge 34 d of the backward pulling portion 34 extending generallylinearly from the lower end 24 b of the vertical expansion portion 24.In other words, the vertical expansion portion 24 is turned backward atits lower end 24 b pivoting on its upper end 24 a so that the higherlongitudinal tension is developed on the lower edge 21 b side of theairbag body portion 21.

[0116] In the first embodiment, moreover, when the airbag 20 isextending and expanding, the base portion 34 a of the backward pullingportion 34 of the non-inlet portion 27 is on the exterior side O of theguide regulating portion 42 in the guide fixture 45. Therefore, theguide regulating portion 42 can be extremely close to the exterior sideO, leaving more space in the interior side I. As long as there is notrouble in the sliding movement of the airbag 20 to the guide means 41(or the guide fixture 45) of the guide regulating portion 42, itpermissible that the backward pulling portion 34 is partially inflatedby feeding the inflating gas. Moreover, the forward pulling portion 32may also be fed with the inflating gas.

[0117] Here, the first embodiment has been described in the case inwhich the upper end 47 of the guide fixture 45 is mounted on the innerpanel 3 by inserting it into the through hole 3 e. It is natural thatthe guide fixture 45 may instead be joined on its upper end 47 to theinner panel 3 by means of a predetermined bolt. Moreover, the guidefixture 45 should not be limited to the L-shape but may be formed into asideways rectangular U-shape. In this modification, the verticallyextending portion of the sideways rectangular “U” shape is used as theguide regulating portion 42, and the portions at the two ends of thevertical portion are used as the joint portions 43. Then, theseindividual joint portions 43 are jointed to the inner panel 3. The guidefixture 45 may also be modified such that only the upper end 47 iscoupled to the inner panel 3 on the side of the body 1.

[0118] Here will be described a head protecting airbag device M2according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0119] In the head protecting airbag device M2 of the second embodimentshown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the guide means 41 is formed of a flexiblelinear belt 49 unlike the head protecting airbag device M1 of the firstembodiment. Here, the second embodiment is different in that the guidemeans 41 is formed of the belt 49, but is similar in other members suchas the airbag 20 or the inflator 39 to the first embodiment. Therefore,the common members and portions will be omitted from description here,designating them by the same reference numerals.

[0120] This belt 49 comprises the vertically extending guide regulatingportion 42 and the joint portions 43 and 43 arranged at the upper andlower ends of the guide regulating portion 42. This guide regulatingportion 42 makes possible the guiding and regulation movement of thevicinity of the base portion 34 a of the backward pulling portion 34 ofthe airbag 20. The joint portions 43 and 43 are jointed to the vehiclebody (or the body 1) side. Moreover, the individual joint portions 43have mounting seats 50 and 51 having mounting holes 50 a and 51 a forinserting the bolts 4 thereinto. These mounting seats 50 and 51 arefastened and jointed to the inner panel 3 near the corner portion Ctogether with the upper and lower mounting portions 10 a and 10 c of theupper panel 10 of the rear pillar garnish 9 by means of the bolts 4.Here, the upper portion 49 a of the guide regulating portion 42 of thebelt 49 is covered with the lower edge 8 a of the roof head lining 8.

[0121] Moreover, the length of the guide regulating portion 42 betweenthe mounting seats 50 and 51 of the belt 49 is set in the followingmanner. Specifically, the length is set to form a predeterminedclearance H between the exterior side O of the guide regulating portion42 and the interior side I of the upper panel 10. This clearance H isset to guide the vicinity of the base portion 34 a of the backwardpulling portion 34 smoothly downward when the airbag 20 is extending andexpanding.

[0122] In this head protecting airbag device M2 of the secondembodiment, too, the airbag 20 folded on the upper edge side of the sidewindow SW extends and expands downward when activated after having beenmounted on the vehicle V1, to cover the side window SW with the bodyportion 21.

[0123] Moreover, the airbag 20 protrudes downward from the upper edgeside of the side window SW while the base portion 34 a side of thebackward pulling portion 34 is guided by the guide regulating portion 42of the belt 49. Moreover, the airbag 20 completes its extension andexpansion with the movement of the vicinity of the base portion 34 a ofthe backward pulling portion 34 toward the interior side I restrained bythe guide regulating portion 42 of the belt 49.

[0124] At this time, like the first embodiment, the airbag 20 is mountedthe leading end 32 b side of the forward pulling portion 32 on the frontside pillar portion FP of the side window SW. Moreover, the leading end34 b side of the backward pulling portion 34 is mounted at a position ofthe rear wall portion 12 apart from the vehicle side face VS. Further,the backward pulling portion 34 of the airbag 20 is bent toward theinterior side I at a portion of the guide regulating portion 42 near thecorner portion C as it extends from the base portion 34 a to the leadingend 34 b. In the embodiment, however, the airbag 20 is not loosenedbecause the backward pulling portion 34 is regulated from moving towardthe interior I by the guide regulating portion 42 of the belt 49.

[0125] As aresult, upon completion of the extension and expansion of theairbag 20 of the second embodiment, too, the longitudinal tension can bedeveloped in the body portion 21 without any trouble. Therefore, theairbag device M2 of the second embodiment can also exhibit actions andeffects similar to those of the airbag device M1 of the firstembodiment.

[0126] Here, the second embodiment employs the flexible belt 49 as theguide means 41 so that it will not give a physical discomfort even to apassenger touching it.

[0127] Moreover, the second embodiment employs the airbag 20 like thefirst embodiment. Therefore, the second embodiment can exhibit actionsand effects similar to those of the first embodiment when the airbag 20extends and expands.

[0128] In case a belt is employed as the guide means 41, it may beexemplified by a seat belt 57 which is arranged in the vicinity of thecorner portion C as in a head protecting airbag device M3 of a thirdembodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12. This third embodiment isdifferent in that the seat belt 57 is used as the guide means 41, and inthat a vehicle V2 for mounting the airbag device M3 is a double-cabvehicle and employs a airbag 20A long in the longitudinal direction.Other members such as the inflator 39 are similar to those of the firstembodiment, and the common members and portions are suitably omittedfrom description here, giving them the same reference numerals as thoseof the first embodiment.

[0129] In this double-cab vehicle V2, the seats SE are arranged in frontand rear rows, and the side window SW to be arranged on the vehicle sidefaces VS are long in the longitudinal direction. At a longitudinallyintermediate portion of the side window SW, moreover, there is arrangeda center pillar portion CP. The side window SW is provided with a frontside window SW1 and a rear side window SW2. In the case of theembodiment, the side window SW1 is the window of the front door, and theside window SW2 is the window of the rear door. Moreover, the centerpillar portion CP is provided with an inner panel 3 on the vehicle body(or the body 1) side and a pillar garnish 7 covering the interior sideof the pillar portion CP.

[0130] Moreover, the airbag 20A for covering the interior side of theside window SW (SW1 and SW2) including the center pillar portion CP isformed to have the body portion 21 elongated in the longitudinaldirections. The body portion 21 has vertical thickness regulatingportions 29 a and 29 b arranged between the vertical expansion portion24 on the rear end side and the transverse long cells 23 a on the frontend side. To the front of the individual thickness regulating portions29 a and 20 b, moreover, there are arranged vertical expansion portions23 b and 23 b.

[0131] The seat belt 57 is located as the guide means 41 at a portionnear base portion 58 (i.e., toward upper portion 58 a) between apre-tensioner 53 and an anchor 54. The seat belt 57 comprises the baseportion 58, an intermediate portion 59 and a leading end portion 60. Thebase portion 58 is the belt portion wound off the pre-tensioner 53, upto the anchor 54. The intermediate portion 59 is the belt portion fromthe anchor 54 up to a tongue 55 extending downward. The leading endportion 60 is a belt portion from the tongue 55 to the portion to befixed on the floor panel FB of the vehicle V2.

[0132] Here, the seat belt 57 is used by the seated passenger byfastening the tongue 55 to a buckle 56 fixed to the floor panel FB. Atthis time, the seat belt 57 is automatically wound from thepre-tensioner 53. Moreover, this pre-tensioner 53 develops such abiasing force at a normal time as to pull back the belt 57 whileallowing it to be wound off. Moreover, the pre-tensioner 53 is providedwith a lock mechanism for stopping the let-off of the belt 57 when animpact acts on the vehicle V2. The anchor 54 holds the belt 57 in athreading manner. The tongue 55 is so attached to the belt as to be ableto move along the belt 57.

[0133] Moreover, the pre-tensioner 53 is fixed on the inner panel 3 andcovered with the lower panel 11 of the rear pillar garnish 9. The anchor54 is fixed on the inner panel 3 and covered with the roof head lininglower edge 8 a over the rear pillar portion RP.

[0134] Moreover, the seat belt 57 forming the guide means 41 comprisesthe guideregulatingportion 42, and the joint portions 43 and 43 jointedto the body 1 side at the upper and lower ends of the guide regulatingportion 42. Specifically, the upper portion 58 a of the base portion 58between the pre-tensioner 53 and the anchor 54 is used as the guideregulating portion 42. Moreover, the portions to be retained by thepre-tensioner 53 and the anchor 54 are used as the joint portions 43 and43.

[0135] In this head protecting airbag device M3 of the third embodiment,too, the airbag 20A mounted on the vehicle V2 by being folded on theupper edge side of the side window SW extends and expands downward tocover the side windows SW1 and SW2 with its body portion 21.

[0136] Moreover, the airbag 20A protrudes downward from the upper edgeside of the side window SW while the base portion 34 a side of thebackward pulling portion 34 in the vicinity of the corner portion C isguided by the guide regulating portion 42 constructedof the base portion58 of the seat belt 57. Moreover, the airbag 20A completes the extensionand expansion such that the movement near the base portion 34 a of thebackward pulling portion 34 toward the interior side I being regulatedby the guide regulating portion 42 consisting of the base portion 58.

[0137] In the airbag 20A at this time, like the first embodiment, theleading end 32 b of the forward pulling portion 32 is mounted on thefront pillar portion FP of the front side of the side window SW.Moreover, the leading end 34 b of the backward pulling portion 34 ismounted on the rear wall portion 12 apart from the vehicle side face VS.Moreover, the backward pulling portion 34 of the airbag 20A is benttoward the interior side I at the portion of the guide regulatingportion 42 near the corner portion C as it extends from the vicinity ofthe base portion 34 a to the leading end 34 b. However, airbag 20A ofthe embodiment is not loosened because the backward pulling portion 34is kept from moving to the interior side I by the guide regulatingportion 42 of the belt 57.

[0138] As a result, upon completion of the extension and expansion ofthe airbag 20A of the third embodiment, too, the longitudinal tensioncan be developed in the body portion 21 without any trouble. Therefore,the airbag device M3 of the third embodiment can also exhibit actionsand effects similar to those of the airbag device M2 of the secondembodiment.

[0139] Here, at the operating time of the airbag device M3, the baseportion 58 of the seat belt 57 is suppressed from moving toward theinterior side I because the pre-tensioner 53 activates the lockmechanism. As a result, the seat belt 57 can smoothly act as the guideregulating portion 42 to guide the backward pulling portion 34 in thevicinity of the base portion 34 a downward and to restrain the movementof the same toward the interior side I.

[0140] In the third embodiment, moreover, the guide means 41 isconstructed by utilizing the seat belt 57 mounted on the vehicle V2.Therefore, it is possible to minimize the increase in the number ofcomponents and in the number of assembling steps of the head protectingairbag device M3.

[0141] In the third embodiment, moreover, there is employed the airbag20A which has a construction similar to that of the airbag 20 employedin the first and second embodiment, excepting the body portion 21.Therefore, this embodiment can exhibit actions and effects similar tothose of the first embodiment when the airbag 20A is extending andexpanding.

[0142] In the airbag 20A, moreover, there are juxtaposed a plurality ofvertical expansion portions 23 b, 23 b and 24 which are arranged in thevertical direction. Therefore, higher longitudinal tension can bedeveloped in the body portion 21 when the airbag is extending andexpanding.

[0143] Moreover, the guide means 41 may utilize the seat SE as in a headprotecting airbag device M4, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15. This fourthembodiment is difference from the first embodiment in that the guidemeans 41 is on the seat SE. The other members such as the airbag 20 andthe inflator 39 are similar to those of the first embodiment. The commonmembers and portions are omitted from description here, designating themby the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment.

[0144] The seat SE having the guide means 41 is arranged in the vicinityof the rear pillar portion RP of the vehicle V1 and is provided with alower portion 62 and a back portion 63. At the upper end of the backportion 63, there is arranged a head rest 64. Moreover, the side of thehead rest 64 toward the rear pillar portion RP in the vicinity of thecorner portion C is extended toward the rear pillar portion RP andupward to form an extension portion 65 as the guide means 41. In otherwords, an exterior side O face 66 of the extension portion 65 is a guideregulating face, which is arranged generally vertically. Also, the guideregulating face 66 extends upward from the back portion 63 of the seatSE. The extension portion 65 (or the guide regulating face 66) has anupper end 66 a arranged in the vicinity of the roof head lining loweredge 8 a above the rear pillar portion RP. Moreover, the extensionportion 65 has a lower end 66 b arranged near the lower end of the upperpanel 10 of the rear pillar garnish 9.

[0145] In this head protecting airbag device M4 of the fourthembodiment, too, the airbag 20 mounted on the vehicle V1 by being foldedon the upper edge side of the side window SW extends and expandsdownward, and when activated covers the side window SW with the bodyportion 21.

[0146] Moreover, the airbag 20 protrudes downward from the upper edgeside of the side window SW while the base portion 34 a side of thebackward pulling portion 34 is guided by the guide regulating face 66 ofthe extension portion 65. Moreover, as the airbag 20 completes itsextension and expansion, the movement of the backward pulling portion 34in the vicinity of the base portion 34 a toward the interior side I isrestrained by the guide regulating face 66 of the head rest 64.

[0147] At this time, like the first embodiment, the airbag 20 is mountedat the leading end 32 b of the forward pulling portion 32 on the frontside pillar portion FP of the front side of the side window SW.Moreover, the leading end 34 b of the backward pulling portion 34 ismounted at a position of the rear wall portion 12 removed from thevehicle side face VS. Further, the backward pulling portion 34 of theairbag 20 is bent toward the interior side I by the guide regulatingface 66 as it extends from the vicinity of the base portion 34 a to theleading end 34 b. In the airbag 20 of the embodiment, however, thebackward pulling portion 34 is not loosened because the backward pullingportion 34 is regulated from moving toward the interior side I by theguide regulating face 66.

[0148] As a result, upon completion of the extension and expansion ofthe airbag 20 of the fourth embodiment, too, the longitudinal tensioncan be developed in the body portion 21 without any trouble. Therefore,the airbag device M4 of the fourth embodiment can also exhibit actionsand effects similar to those of the airbag device M1 of the firstembodiment.

[0149] In the fourth embodiment, too, the guide means 41 is constructedlike the third embodiment by utilizing the seat SE mounted on thevehicle V1. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the increase in thenumber of components and in the number of assembling steps of the headprotecting airbag device M4.

[0150] Moreover, the fourth embodiment employs the airbag 20 like thefirst embodiment. Therefore, the fourth embodiment can acquire actionsand effects similar to those of the first embodiment when the airbag 20extends and expands.

[0151] Here, the airbag devices M1 to M4 of the embodiments have theconstructions in which the forward pulling portion 32 of the airbag 20or 20A is formed separately of but jointed to the body portion 21 bymeans of eyelet. It is natural that the forward pulling portion 32 maybe formed integrally with the body portion 21. In this modification, theforward pulling portion 32 may be hollow-woven integrally with the bodyportion 21. Moreover, the shape of the forward pulling portion 32 shouldnot be limited to the belt shape of each embodiment but may be atriangular one narrowed toward the leading end 32 b, as in the backwardpulling portion 34.

[0152] On the other hand, the backward pulling portion 34 may be madeseparate of the body portion 21 but jointed to the same by sewing ormelting it or by using eyelets. Moreover, the backward pulling portion34 should not be limited to the triangular shape in each embodiment butmay be formed into a belt shape leaving the lower edge 34 d side as inthe forward pulling portion 32.

[0153] Moreover, each embodiment has been described for the case inwhich the guide regulating portion 42 with the guide fixture 45 or thebelt 49 as the guide means 41 is exposed to the interior side I of therear pillar portion RP. However, the guide means 41 such as the guidefixture 45 or the belt 49 may be covered with the garnish 9 of the rearpillar portion RP or the garnish arranged at the corner portion C wherethe rear wall portion 12 and the vehicle side face VS intersect, if itcan then still guide and regulate the position of the backward pullingportion 34 in the vicinity of the base portion 34 a.

[0154] Moreover, the joint portions 43 of the guide fixture 45 or thebelt 49 may be jointed not only to the inner panel 3 along the sidewindow SW on the body 1 side but also to the rear wall portion 12 on thebody 1 side or the roof on the body 1 side.

[0155] Here will be described head protecting airbag devices M5 and M6which can achieve the second object of the invention.

[0156] The head protecting airbag device M5 of a fifth embodiment, asshown in FIG. 16, is mounted like the foregoing airbag device M3, on thedouble-cab vehicle V2. The airbag device M5 comprises an airbag 116, aninflator 137, a guide member (or guide means) 141 and an airbag cover18. In the airbag device M5, moreover, the interior side of the rearpillar portion RP is covered with a rear pillar garnish 109. Thedouble-cab vehicle V2 is similar in its members other than the rearpillar garnish 109 to the double-cab vehicle V2 having the airbag deviceM3 of the third embodiment mounted thereon. The common members andportions will be omitted from description here, designating them by thesame reference numerals as those of the third embodiment.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 16, the airbag 116 is folded and housed alongthe upper edge of the side window SW (or SW1 and SW2) straddling thecenter pillar portion CP on the interior side. As shown in FIGS. 16, 19and 20, moreover, the airbag 116 is provided with an airbag body 117,and ring portions 132 arranged on the rear edge 117 c of the airbag body117. This airbag body 117 can cover the interior sides of the sidewindows SW1 and SW2, the center pillar portion CP and the rear pillarportion RP. The ring portions 132 are arranged in plurality (or two inthe embodiment) as guide-engaging portions to engage with the guidemember 141.

[0158] The airbag body 117 is formed excepting the later-describedextension portion 131 by hollow-weaving polyamide yarns or polyesteryarns. Moreover, the airbag body 117 comprises a gas inlet portion 118for expanding by admitting the inflating gas Gfrom the inflator 137, andanon-inlet portion 126 admitting no inflating gas G. The gas inletportion 118 expands to separate the interior side wall portion 118 a andthe exterior side wall portion 118 b from each other. Here, theextension portion 131 is sewn to the front edge of the later-describedperipheral edge joint portion 128.

[0159] In the case of the embodiment, the gas inlet portion 118comprises front/rear seat inlet portions 121 and 122, and an inletexpansion portion 119. This inlet expansion portion 119 guides theinflating gas G discharged from the inflator 137, into the front/rearseat inlet portions 121 and 122. The front seat inlet portion 121 coversthe interior side of the side window SW1 on the side of the front seatSE1 when the airbag is extending and expanding. The rear seat inletportion 122 covers the interior side of the side window SW2 on the sideof the rear seat SE2. In the individual front/rear seat inlet portions121 and 122, there are arranged a plurality of vertical expansionportions 124 which expand in vertical rod shapes when they admit theinflating gas. These vertical expansion portions 124 are constructed bypartitioning the areas of the individual front/rearseat inletportions121 and 122 bythe later-described partitioning joint portions (or thethickness regulating portions) 129. Moreover, the vertical expansionportion 124 arranged on the rear end side in the rear seat inlet portion122 is an initial vertical expansion portion 124A. The initial verticalexpansion portion 124A expands along the guide member 141 at the initialinlet of the inflating gas G to move each ring portion 132 downwardalong the guide member 141. In other words, the initial verticalexpansion portion 124A is arranged on the rear edge 117 c near theinflator 137, on the upstream side of the inlet of the inflating gas G.

[0160] The inlet expansion portion 119 is so positioned on the upperedge 117 a side of the airbag body 117 as to communicate with the upperends of the individual vertical expansion portions 124 in the front/rearseat inlet portions 121 and 122. Moreover, the inlet expansion portion119 is arranged to extend longitudinally. The rear end of the inletexpansion portion 119 is cylindrically protruded obliquely upward fromthe rear edge side of the airbag body 117 to form an inlet port 119 a tobe connected to the inflator 137.

[0161] The non-inlet portion 126 is constructed to join the interiorside wall portion 118 a and the exterior side wall portion 118 b. Thenon-inlet portion 126 comprises mounting portions 127, the peripheraledge joint portion 128, the partitioning joint portions 129, a panelportion 130 and the extension portion 131.

[0162] The peripheral edge joint portion 128 is arranged around the gasinlet portion 118 and at portions including the periphery of the panelportion 130 and contacting with the gas inlet portion 118. Moreover, theperipheral edge joint portion 128 is so thickly woven as to prevent gasleakage. The mounting portions 127 are so arranged in plurality as toprotrude upward from the peripheral edge joint portion 128 on the upperedge 117 a side of the airbag body 117. To the individual mountingportions 127, there are fixed mounting brackets 134 for mounting themounting portions 127 on the inner panel 3. In the individual mountingportions 127, moreover, there are formed mounting holes 127 a forinserting mounting bolts 135. Moreover, the individual mounting portions127 are fixed together with the mounting brackets 134 on the inner panel3 on the body 1 side by using the mounting bolts 135.

[0163] The partitioning joint portions 129 are so arranged in pluralityas to extend upward in the areas of the front/rear seat inlet portions121 and 122 from the lower edge of the peripheral edge joint portion 128to the inlet expansion portion 119. The partitioning joint portions 129are arranged to partition the front/rear seat inlet portions 121 and 122into a plurality of vertical expansion portions 124 and to make theirthicknesses substantially equal. Specifically, a partitioning jointportion 129A, arranged adjacent to the front side of the initialvertical expansion portion 124A, has an upper end 129 a arranged higherthan the upper ends of the remaining partitioning joint portions 129, asshown in FIG. 19. This arrangement is made so that the inflating gas Gdischarged from the inflator 137 may easily flow into the initialvertical expansion portion 124A.

[0164] The panel portion 130 and the extension portion 131 are arrangedto retain the entire shape of the airbag body 117 and to reduce thecapacity of the gas inlet portion 118 thereby to shorten the time periodtill the completion of the extension and expansion. The panel portion130 is formed into a generally rectangular shape. The panel portion 130is arranged below the inlet expansion portion 119 between the front seatinlet portion 121 and the rear seat inlet portion 122. Moreover, theperipheral edge joint portions 128 are arranged between the gas inletportions 118 (i.e., the front/rear seat inlet portions 121 and 122 andthe inlet expansion portion 119) around the panel portion 130.

[0165] The extension portion 131 is formed into a generally triangularshape extending forward from the front end of the front seat inletportion 121. The extension portion 131 is mounted and fixed at itsleading end 131 a on the inner panel 3 by the lower portion of the frontpillar portion FP on the body 1 side. In other word, this extensionportion 131 is a portion for fixing the front end 117 d, onelongitudinal end of the airbag body 117, on the front pillar portion FPserving as one vertical edge of the side window SW1, arranged generallyvertically. The leading end 131 a of the extension portion 131 isprovided with a mounting hole 131 b for inserting the mounting bolt 135.The leading end 131 a of the extension portion 131 fixes the mountingbracket 134 and is fixed on the inner panel 3 of the lower portion ofthe front pillar portion FP by utilizing the mounting bolt 135. Here inthe embodiment, the extension portion 131 is formed of a woven fabricseparate from the airbag body 117 and made from polyamide yarns or thepolyester yarns and is sewn to the front edge side of the peripheraledge joint portion 128. The extension portion 131 may be hollow-wovenintegrally with the airbag body 117.

[0166] Each ring portion 132 serves as a guide-engaging portion whichengages with the guide member 141 so that it is guided by the guidemember 141 when the airbag 116 extends and expands. In the case of theembodiment, the ring portion 132 is formed of a woven fabric separatefrom the airbag body 117 and made frompolyamide yarns or polyester yarnsinto a cylindrical shape. The ring portion 132 is sewn to the rear edgeof the peripheral edge joint portion 128. The individual ring portions132 are arranged to protrude backward from two portions of the verticaledge. Moreover, each ring portion 132 is so vertically opened that itcan fit on the later-described body portion 141 a of the guide member141.

[0167] The inflator 137 is formed into a generally cylindrical shape, asshown in FIG. 16. The inflator 137 fits in the inlet port 119 a at theinlet expansion portion 119 of the airbag body 117 and is connected tothe airbag body 117 by utilizing a clamp 140. Moreover, the inflator 137is mounted and fixed on the rear panel 13 arranged on the upper edgeside of the rear window RW of the rear wall portion 12 on the body 1side, by utilizing a mounting bracket 138 and a mounting bolt 139.Moreover, the inflator 137 is covered on the interior side with thelower edge 8 a of the roof head lining 8.

[0168] The guide member 141 as the guide means is made of ametallic wirehaving flexibility. The guide member 141 is arranged on the rear endside of the rear pillar portion RP, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18.Moreover, the guide member 141 is covered on the interior side I with anedge portion 109 a of the rear pillar garnish 109 vertically extended.The edge portion 109 a becomes the portion which is positioned on therear edge 117 c side of the airbag 116 after extension and expansion.The guide member 141 is provided with the body portion 141 a, andmounting portions 141 b and 141 c arranged at the upper end and thelower end of the body portion 141 a. This body portion 141 a is engagedwith the ring portions 132 one above the other so that the ring portions132 can move downward. Moreover, the guide member 141 is fixed byfastening the mounting portions 141 b and 141 c on the inner panel 3 onthe body 1 side by means of bolts 142. Still moreover, the guide member141 is constructed such that its body portion 141 a protrudes from ahoused position SP into the interior side I, being pulled and deflectedinto the interior side I by the downward moving ring portions 132, asindicated by double-dotted lines in FIGS. 17 and 18.

[0169] In the case of the embodiment, the upper side mounting portions141 b are fixed on the upper side inner panel 3 of the airbag 116 to befolded and housed. On the other hand, the lower side mounting portions141 c are fixed on the inner panel 3 in the vicinity of the lower edge117 b of the airbag 116 when it has completed extension and expansion.

[0170] In the vicinity of the front side of the edge 109 a of the rearpillar garnish 109, as shown in FIG. 17, there is formed a hinge 109 b.Therefore, the edge portion 109 a can be pushed and opened to theinterior side I by the body portion 141 a of the guide member 141protruding to the interior side I when the airbag 116 extends andexpands. Here, a member 144 in FIG. 17 is a glass run. Moreover, thebody portion 141 a is set to have a length allowing it to protrude tothe interior side I, when swelled upon substantial completion of theexpansion of the airbag 116. Further, the airbag body 117 is restrainedon the rear end 117 c side from moving forward after substantialcompletion of the expansion, held by the body portion 141 a of the guidemember 141.

[0171] Here will be described how to mount this airbag device M5 of thefifth embodiment on the vehicle V2. Like the aforementioned airbag 10 ofthe first embodiment, the airbag 116 is folded along a number oflongitudinal creases LC (as referred to double-dotted lines in FIG. 19),and the airbag 116 thus folded is suitablywrappedat its predeterminedlocation with a not-shown breakable tape member retaining the foldedcondition.

[0172] After this, the mounting brackets 134 are fixed on the individualmounting portions 127 and the leading end 131 a of the extension portion131. Then, the airbag assembly is made by mounting the mounting brackets138 on the inflator 137 and by assembling the inflator 137 with theairbag 116.

[0173] After this, the individual mounting portions 127 and the leadingend 131 a of the extension portion 131 are mounted and fixed on theinner panel 3 by employing the mounting bolts 135. The airbag assemblycan be mounted on the body 1 of the vehicle V2 by mounting and fixingthe mounting brackets 138 on the rear panel 13 by means of the mountingbolts 139.

[0174] Then, the guide member 141 is fixed on the body 1 of the vehicleV2 by inserting the body portion 141 a into the individual ring portions132 and by mounting the mounting portions 141 b and 141 c onpredetermined positions of the inner panel 3 to be arranged on the rearpillar portion RP, by means of bolts 142.

[0175] Next, the not-shown lead wires extending from the inflator 137are connected with a predetermined airbag operating circuit. As in theaforementioned first embodiment, the individual pillar garnishes 6, 7and 109 are then mounted and fixed on the inner panel 3 of theindividual pillar portions FP, CP and RP. In the roof side rail portionRR, the roof head lining 8 is mounted and fixed on the inner panel 3.Then, the airbag device M5 can be mounted on the vehicle V2.

[0176] If the inflator 137 is then activated, the inflating gas G flowsfrom the inlet port 119 a into the inlet expansion portion 119 to breakthe not-shown tape member. Then, the inflating gas G flows into thefront/rear seat inlet portions 121 and 122 to push and open the loweredges 6 a and 8 a of the front pillar garnish 6 and the roof head lining8 which serve as the airbag cover 18. After this, the airbag 116 extendsand expands to cover the interior sides of the side windows SW1 and SW2,the center pillar portion CP and the rear pillar portion RP, asindicated by double-dotted lines in FIG. 16 and in FIG. 21. With theairbag 116 having completed the expansion, the front end 117 d is fixedon the inner panel 3 arranged at a portion of the front pillar portionFP. Moreover, the rear end 117 c of the airbag is held and restrainedfrom moving forward by the body portion 141 a of the guide member 141arranged at a portion of the rear pillar portion RP.

[0177] At this time of the airbag device M5 of the fifth embodiment,when the inflating gas G from the inflator 137 flows into the airbag116, the initial vertical expansion portion 124A expands at first. Asthis initial vertical expansion portion 124A expands, the ring portions132 as the guide-engaging portions are guided to move downward by thebody portion 141 a of the guide member 141 so that they are arranged atthe expansion completion positions of the predetermined airbag 116.Before the inflating gas G flows into the remaining vertical expansionportions 124 of the airbag 116 to establish a tension on the lower edgeside of the airbag 116, more specifically, the ring portions 132 areguided in advance by the body portions 141 a of the guide member 141 sothat the extension of the airbag 116 is brought into a substantiallycompletion. Therefore, the airbag 116 can complete the extension andexpansion without any trouble so that it can develop the longitudinaltension on the lower edge 117 b side.

[0178] In the airbag device M5 of the embodiment, therefore, the airbag116 can be smoothly guided by the guide member 141 to complete theextension, even if the airbag 116 is constructed so that thelongitudinal tension may be developed on the lower edge 117 b side uponcompletion of the extension and expansion.

[0179] In the airbag device M5 of the embodiment, moreover, when theairbag 116 is not extended, the guide member 141 is covered on theinterior side I with the edge portion 109 a of the rear pillar garnish109. Therefore, the decorative design of the vehicle V2 having the guidemember 141 mounted thereon is improved. At the extension and expansionof the airbag 116, moreover, the edge portion 109 a covering theinterior side I of the guide member 141 is opened to the interior side Iso that it has no possibility of obstructing the extension and expansionof the airbag 116. Without taking this point into consideration, theguide member 141 is not covered on its interior side with the interiorfinish but may be exposed to the interior side. Moreover, the interiorfinish covering the interior side I of the guide member 141 should notbe limited to the pillar garnish 109, but the guide member 141 may becovered on its interior side I with a trim or the like.

[0180] In the airbag device M5 of the embodiment, moreover, the guidemember 141 is made of a flexible material. When the airbag is extendingand expanding 116, the guide member 141 opens the edge portion 109 a ofthe rear pillar garnish 109 and protrudes from the housed position SP tothe interior side I. Therefore, the airbag 116 can extend and expandsmoothly without having its guide-engaging portions (or ring portions)132 interfering with the rear pillar garnish 109. Without taking thispoint into consideration, the guide member may be made of a rigid rod orthe like.

[0181] In the airbag device M5 of the embodiment, still moreover, theairbag 116 has the plurality of vertical expansion portions 124 and 124Aarranged in the longitudinal directions. These vertical expansionportions 124 and 124A expand to shorten thelongitudinallengthbyacceptingtheinflatinggas. Therefore, thelongitudinal tension can be highly developed on the lower edge 117 bside of the airbag 116 having completed the expansion. When the airbag116 has substantially completed the expansion, moreover, the bodyportion 141 a of the guide member 141 is slightly deflected forward ofthe vehicle, as indicated by double-dotted lines in FIG. 17, inaccordance with the longitudinal shrinkage of each vertical expansionportion 124.

[0182] In the airbag device M5 of the embodiment, still moreover, theinitial vertical expansion portion 124A of the airbag 116 is so arrangedon the rear end 117 c side near the inflator 137 that it may be on theupstream side of the inflating gas G. When the airbag is extending andexpanding 116, therefore, the inflating gas G discharged from theinflator 137 can be promptly spurted into the initial vertical expansionportion 124A. In other words, the initial vertical expansion portion124A can be expanded more quickly than the remaining vertical expansionportions 124 of the airbag 116. As a result, the ring portions 132 canquickly move downward while being guided by the guide members 141thereby to allow the airbag 116 to expand quickly.

[0183] Here will be described an airbag device M6 according to a sixthembodiment of the invention. This airbag device M6 has a constructionsimilar to that of the aforementioned airbag device M5 of the fifthembodiment excepting the shape of an airbag 156, as shown in FIGS. 22and 25. Therefore, the common members and portions will be omitted ontheir description by designating them by the same reference numerals asthose of the fifth embodiment.

[0184] The airbag 156 employed in the airbag device M6 of the sixthembodiment has a construction similar to the aforementioned airbag 116of the fifth embodiment excepting that an extension portion 158 isarranged to protrude backward from the rear end side of the rear seatinlet portion 122. Therefore, the common members and portions in theairbag 156 will be omitted on their description by designating them bythe same reference numerals as those of the airbag 116 of the fifthembodiment.

[0185] The extension portion 158 is formed into a generally triangularshape extending backward from the rear end side of the rear seat inletportion 122. Moreover, the extension portion 158 is formed to extendlinearly from the vicinity of the lower end 124 b of the initialvertical expansion portion 124A. And, the extension portion 158 ismounted and fixed at its leading end 158 a on the rear panel 13 of theupper side of the rear window RW on the body 1 side. The leading end 158a of the extension portion 158 is provided with a mounting hole 158 bfor inserting the mounting bolt therethrough. The leading end 158 a isfixed on the rear panel 13 on the upper side of the rear window RW byfixing the mounting bracket 134 thereon and by utilizing the mountingbolt 135.

[0186] In the airbag device M6 of the sixth embodiment, a portion 158 cof the extension portion 158 in the vicinity of the initial verticalexpansion portion 124A provides an guide-engaging portion to engage withthe body portion 141 a of the guide member 141. This guide-engagingportion is guided by the body portion 141 a when the airbag 156 extendsand expands. In other words, the sixth embodiment is constructed suchthat the body portion 141 a of the guide member 141 is arranged on theinterior side I of the extension portion 158. When the airbag isextending and expanding 156, moreover, the portion 158 c near theinitial vertical expansion portion 124A moves downward along the bodyportion 141 a as the initial vertical expansion portion 124A expands.

[0187] The airbag 156 in the airbag device M6 of the sixth embodiment isfixed on its front end 156 d side on the inner panel 3 which is arrangedat a portion of the front pillar portion FP, when it completes theexpansion substantially. On the other hand, a rear end 156 c is fixed onthe rear panel 13 which is arranged above the rear window RW. When theairbag 156 completes the expansion substantially, the body portion 141 aof the guide member 141 is arranged on the interior side I of theguide-engaging portion 158 c near the rear end of the initial verticalexpansion portion 124A, and the guide-engaging portion 158 c is held onthe body portion 141 a while being regulated from moving forward. On thelower edge 156 b side of the airbag 156 having completed the expansionsubstantially, therefore, the tension is developed longitudinally of thevehicle V2 from the front end 156 d side to the guide member 141. Whenthe airbag 156 completes the expansion substantially, the body portion141 a of the guide member 141 is slightly deflected forward of thevehicle, as shown in FIG. 26, like the aforementioned fifth embodiment,as each vertical expansion portion 124 shrinks in the longitudinaldirections.

[0188] The airbag 156 thus constructed can be folded like the airbag 116of the fifth embodiment. When this folded airbag 156 is mounted on thevehicle V2 as in the fifth embodiment, moreover, the airbag device M6can be mounted on the vehicle V2. Here, the guide member 141 is arrangedon the interior side I of the airbag 156, as shown in FIG. 23.

[0189] In the airbag device M6 employing the airbag 156 thusconstructed, too, when the inflating gas G from the inflator 137 flowsinto the airbag 156, the initial vertical expansion portion 124A expandsfirst of all. In accordance with the expansion of the initial verticalexpansion portion 124A, the portion 158 c (or the guide-engagingportion) of the extension portion 158 arranged near the initial verticalexpansion portion 124A moves downward while being guided by the bodyportion 141 a of the guide member 141, so that it is arranged at apredetermined extension completion position of the airbag 156. Beforethe inflating gas G flows into the remaining vertical expansion portions124 of the airbag 156 to develop the tension on the lower edge 156 bside of the airbag 156, more specifically, the guide-engaging portion158 c is guided in advance by the body portion 141 a of the guide member141 thereby to complete the extension of the airbag 156 substantially.Therefore, the airbag 156 can complete its extension and expansionwithout any trouble, as shown in FIG. 25, to develop the longitudinaltension on the lower edge 156 b side.

[0190] In the airbag device M6 of the sixth embodiment, moreover, thereis arranged in the airbag 156 the extension portion 158 which extendslinearly from the vicinity of the lower end 124 b of the initialvertical expansion portion 124A. The upper end 158 a of the extensionportion 158 is mounted and fixed on the rear panel 13 on the upper sideof the rear window RW on the side of the body 1. When the airbag isextending and expanding 156, therefore, the initial vertical expansionportion 124A exhibits a rigidity to some extent if the initial verticalexpansion portion 124A is charged with the inflating gas G. Uponcompletion of the expansion of the airbag 156, moreover, the initialvertical expansion portion 124A is pulled on its lower end 124 b sidebackward of the vehicle V2 by the lower edge of the extension portion158 extending substantially linearly from the lower end 124 b side ofthe initial vertical expansion portion 124A. In other words, thisinitial vertical expansion portion 124A turns the lower end 124 bbackward on an upper end 124 a to develop a higher longitudinal tensionon the lower edge 156 b side of the airbag 156.

[0191] Moreover, the airbag device M6 of the sixth embodiment employsthe guide member 141 having a construction similar to that of the fifthembodiment. Therefore, actions and effects similar to those of the fifthembodiment can be acquired when the airbag is extending and expanding156.

[0192] Here in the fifth and sixth embodiments, the airbag devices M5and M6 are mounted on the double-cab vehicle V2. However, the airbagdevices M5 and M6 of the fifth and sixth embodiments may be mounted notonly on the double-cab vehicle V2 but also on a single-cab vehicle or asedan type vehicle.

[0193] In the fifth and sixth embodiments, moreover, the guide member141 is arranged at the portion of the rear pillar portion RP, and theguide-engaging portions 132 and 158 c are arranged on the sides of therear ends 117 c and 156 c of the rear seat inlet portion 122 in theairbags 116 and 156. However, the arranging positions of the guidemember and the guide-engaging portions should not be limited thereto.For example, the guide member may be arranged at the portion of thecenter pillar portion CP, and the guide-engaging portions may bearrangedin the airbag between the front seat inlet portion and the rear seatinlet portion. In this modification, it is preferable that the guidemember is covered on its interior side with the center pillar garnishwhich is provided with such a breakable portion as can be broken as theguide member protrudes when the airbag is extending and expanding.

[0194] In the foregoing first to sixth embodiments, moreover, theairbags 20, 20A, 116 and 156 are manufactured by the hollow weavingmethod. However, the airbag to be applied to the invention should not belimited to the tubularly woven one but may be prepared by folding asheet of flat cloth and by sewing or adhering the predetermined portionssuch the overlapped peripheral edge of the cloth. In this modification,the forward and backward pulling portions 32 and 34, the extensionportions 131 and 158 and the ring portions 132 may be connected to thebody portion 21 and the airbag body 117 by utilizing an adhesive orfixing means using the eyelets or rivets.

1-7. (Canceled)
 8. A head protecting airbag device comprising: an airbagfolded and housed on the upper edge side of a side window on theinterior side of a vehicle; an inflator for feeding an inflating gas tosaid airbag; guide means mounted on the vehicle body; and engaging meansarranged in said airbag for engaging with said guide means, wherein saidairbag extends and expands downward from the upper edge side of saidside window, when the inflating gas flows in, to cover the interior sideof said side window, wherein said guide means is so vertically arrangedas to guide the downward extension of said airbag, wherein saidguide-engaging portion can be guided by said guide means when the airbagis extending and expanding of said airbag, and wherein said airbagincludes an initial vertical expansion portion arranged to expand alongsaid guide means for moving said guide-engaging portion downward alongsaid guide means at the beginning of the inflow of said inflating gas.9. A head protecting airbag device according to claim 8, wherein saidguide means is arranged and covered on the interior side with an edgeportion which can open to the interior side of the interior finish ofthe vehicle.
 10. A head protecting airbag device according to claim 9,wherein said guide means has a flexibility and is arranged to open andprotrude the edge portion of said interior finish from the housedposition of said guide means to the interior side when the airbag isextending and expanding of said airbag thereby to prevent theinterference between airbag and said interior finish.
 11. A headprotecting airbag device according to claim 8, wherein said airbagincludes a plurality of vertical expansion portions for expandingvertically by admitting the inflating gas.
 12. A head protecting airbagdevice according to claim 11, wherein said initial vertical expansionportion is arranged close to the inflator and upstream of the inflatinggas.